Celebrate Independence Day in New York
Come to New York and celebrate Independence Day in the Big Apple with fun and festivities. There are celebrations happening all over New York for July 4 but none as exciting as these! Come attend the Red, White, and Blue Festival with live music, the famous Apple Pie Eating Contest, and so much more. Also planned is Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at the East River. Known as “the world’s largest firework display”, it is now a symbol in America of Independence Day. Last but not least is the wildly popular hot dog eating contest at Coney Island at Nathan’s Famous that has become a holiday tradition.
If you plan on attending any of these events in New York click here for a list of hotels.
While you are in New York explore all it has to offer. The New York See It All Tour is the perfect way to experience the Big Apple. On this fabulous tour you will actually stop at popular areas and be led by an expert tour guide. A few of the areas you will visit are Times Square, Strawberry Fields, South Street Seaport, World Trade Center Memorial, Madison Square Park, and more.
After celebrating the spirit of America enjoy the Spirit of New York Lunch and Dinner Cruises. On this cruise relax and enjoy amazing food while listening to live jazz. Enjoy a variety of food with six choices for an entrée, a salad, deserts, and much more. In the evening enjoy dancing and live entertainment performed by rising stars.
Experience Broadway firsthand and see the spectacular Mamma Mia! Come watch the smash hit musical perform hit songs by ABBA. The songs are integrated into a story about a single mother dealing with the marriage of her young daughter on a picture-perfect Greek isle. Mamma Mia! has been enjoyed by over 20 million people around the world so come see this wonderful show for yourself.
Fourth of July in Washington, DC: Fireworks, Monuments, and Mount Vernon
Independence Day is almost upon us! What better location to celebrate America than in its beautiful capitol city? Washington, DC is the perfect place to make your July 4th celebration special. With a variety of celebrations taking place throughout the area, you have plenty of options for your holiday.
George Washington’s manor, Mount Vernon, is an ideal location at which to celebrate America’s independence, and the Red, White, and Blue Celebration is the perfect party to allow you to do so! This event celebrates the birth of America, complete with a birthday cake and party festivities. Other features of this day-long event include a reading of the Declaration of Independence by a George Washington impersonator and a concert featuring 18th century patriotic tunes performed by the National Concert Band of America. Other fun activities and games will also be going on throughout the day. While at Mount Vernon, you will have the chance to explore the estate and the famed gardens and see many artifacts from Washington’s life.
If you want to stay in the capitol and celebrate with thousands of visitors and locals, make plans to join the Fourth of July Independence Day Celebration at the Capitol. This event has everything you need for a spectacular Fourth: a parade, fireworks show, and music! The parade starts in the early afternoon and features over 100 units and organizations marching to the Capitol building. After the parade, you can enjoy the live music from a variety of performers and groups. The evening finishes with a dazzling display of fireworks over the Washington Monument. With everything you need for a great day of celebrating, this event will certainly make your holiday memorable.
While in the nation’s capital, you should take the time to explore the monuments honoring the founding fathers and important presidents. These men played vital roles in gaining and keeping America’s freedom, and you can learn more about them and honor their memory by visiting their monuments with the Monuments by Moonlight Trolley Tour. This tour features a knowledgeable guide that takes you to all of the major monuments in DC, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. These monuments are lit up beautifully at night, making this experience one you are sure to remember.
Hotels for the July 4th weekend are sure to be filling up fast, so make sure that you get your desired lodging by booking early! We offer hotels right in downtown and throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Fireworks and Food: July 4th Celebrations in Chicago
Get ready to spend an awesome July 4th weekend in Chicago! If you have not already made plans, it is not too late to get in on the action in America’s third largest city. With special July 4th celebrations, you will be sure to have a great time celebrating America in one of its greatest cities.
One July 4th option is spending the day at Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. Year round the pier is a great destination with lots of restaurants, carnival-style games, an IMAX theater, and a Ferris Wheel, but July 4th turns this attraction into an exciting party. The July 4th Celebration at Navy Pier features a spectacular fireworks show and enough entertainment to keep you interested all night. Entertainment includes performances from a variety of local musicians. Located close to Michigan Avenue, you will be close to a variety of Chicago attractions as well.
The John Hancock Observatory offers the best views in the city, making it a perfect spot to watch the city’s fireworks displays on July 4th. The Observatory will be open on the 4th, and visitors will be able to watch the fireworks as well as see breathtaking views of Chicago. Located on Navy Pier, you will also be close to the action of the July 4th Celebration.
One of Chicago’s most popular events will also be occurring during July 4th weekend. The Taste of Chicago begins June 26 and lasts until July 5. Chicago is home to a lot of great food, from gourmet upscale establishments to authentic Chicago pizzerias, and you can sample the best of what the city has to offer at this great festival. Taking place in Grant Park, which is located in the heart of Chicago’s downtown, over 60 restaurants, cafes, and bars are participating in this event. Aside from the great food, the event includes a fireworks show on the evening of July 3rd, an appearance by renowned-chef Emeril Lagasse, book signings, and live musical performances. This event is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day, and food tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Because of the holiday weekend, hotels are sure to fill up fast! Act quickly to reserve your room downtown to be close to all of the action!
Plan Your July 4th Weekend in Charleston
Still looking for the perfect July 4th celebration for your Fourth of July weekend? Because the Fourth is on a Saturday this year, it is the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway. Charleston, South Carolina boasts a beautiful city with many attractions that is great to visit any time of year, but the July 4th events found there make it a special time to visit the city.
The biggest event in Charleston for Independence Day in the Fourth of July Picnic on the Harbor at the South Carolina Aquarium. You will enjoy one of the best views in the city of the Charleston Harbor as you join other visitors in celebrating America. This event begins at 7:30 and includes dinner, and an assortment of beverages will be available on site. The picnic goes on until the dazzling fireworks display over the Charleston Harbor has completed. Live entertainment is also featured at this event. Watching the fireworks light up the night sky and reflect over the water will provide you with a memorable and touching July 4th experience.
Summerville, South Carolina is located just twenty minutes outside of Charleston and hosts a spectacular July 4th event: the Red, White, and Blue on the Green. This event features live entertainment, a parade, a variety of food vendors, and a festive fireworks show to complete the evening. The parade is a unique part of this event in that none of the floats are motorized. You can expect to see decorated wagons, strollers, bikes, and more. The event takes place in Summerville’s historic Town Square. Perfect for families, this celebration features an unforgettable night of fun and fireworks.
To complete your weekend of celebration, explore the history of Charleston with an informative city tour. The Historic Charleston Tour is a guided tour of the city. You will ride in a comfortable, air conditioned tour bus through the city and see the many important sights including Civil War sights, the Battery Sea Wall, the Harbor of History, the Patriots Point, and the USS Yorktown.
Don’t Miss the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana
If you are a music lover, July 3-5 is the perfect time to visit New Orleans and take in the Essence Music Festival. Featuring a weekend full of top name acts, this festival promises to provide a great time in the Big Easy.
The headliner of this year’s festival is Beyonce, one of U.S.’s best entertainers. This is just one stop on her United States tours, and her concerts have been sold out all over the country. Other big name acts include John Legend, a soulful Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter. Hip-hop lovers will love the musical stylings of Ne-yo and Robin Thicke, two young artists who are quickly making names for themselves.
Other artists set to perform include Solange (Knowles, Beyonce’s sister), Lionel Ritchie, Al Green, Salt-n-Pepa, Jazmine Sullivan, En Vogue, and Eric Benet. For music fans interested in the jazz scene, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Rebirth Brass Band will provide great New Orleans jazz music.
Another feature of the weekend is special seminars conducted by notable speakers. These presenters include Bill Cosby, Rev. Al Sharpton, Mayor Ray Nagin, and Dr. Juanita Bynum and Bishop T.D. Jakes, two speakers noted for their inspiring and uplifting seminars. Other presenters include Roland Martin, author, Donna Brazile, Demoratic political strategist, Steve Harvey, and many more.
This is the 15th anniversary of this festival, which was started to celebrate the birthday of Essence magazine. Filled with notable music acts and famous speakers for seminars, this weekend is sure to provide an awesome time in New Orleans.
Hotel rooms are sure to fill up fast for this great event, especially because it is on July 4th weekend. Be sure to book your room early so you can get a great room close to the festivities. We offer a wide range of hotels in New Orleans, so you will be sure to find a hotel that is perfect for you. If you want to take a break from the festival or extend your vacation, we offer lots of great tours and activities in New Orleans. Whether you are taking a foodie tour of the city or a carriage ride through the French Quarter, any of our activities is a great addition to the Essence Music Festival.
